American Exports: Jermaine Jones, Schalke have UEFA Champions League spot in grasp

AMSTERDAM – It was an winning Friday for Americans playing in Europe, highlighted by Jermaine Jones and Schalke moving six points clear in the race for the Bundesliga's last Champions League slot thanks to a late 1-0 winner at nearby rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The US midfielder (above) drew a yellow card during his competent full shift. Thanks to Julian Draxler's 82nd-minute strike, the fourth-place Miners stayed alive to grab Germany's third group-phase pass in their final two games.

One flight down, John Anthony Brooks and Alfredo Morales each went the distance as Hertha Berlin moved to the verge of clinching the 2.Bundesliga crown by hanging on for a 3-2 victory over visiting Erzgebirge Aue. The Old Lady's sixth consecutive home win increased the team's lead atop the table to seven points over second-place Braunschweig, who have three matches left to play.

Meanwhile, north of the border in Denmark, Conor O'Brien went unused as FC Nordsjælland inched closer to a Champions League return with a late 2-2 equalizer at Silkeborg. The Wild Tigers stand nine points ahead of both Aalborg BK and Randers FC, who each have four matches remaining.